2012 NBA Draft - Part II

[Severn Hoos]

CCJ, I really hope the Wiz get a deadeye shooter with that high 2nd round pick (move up into the 1st if necessary). Jenkins, Doron Lamb, Damian Lillard (he's moving up the charts right now). Recent rules changes and the herd mentality have made it easier for a team to keep/hide a poor or undersized G who can hit threes at a high rate. Guys like Curry, Redick, Jodie Meeks, CJ Watson would have been given no chance in the league a decade ago, but are flourishing now.

And the thought of having a couple long range shooters to open the floor for Wall at least gives us hope for next year & beyond...

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Now that the North Texas Mean Green are eliminated and won't be going to the NCAA, Tony Mitchell has a decision to make.

Mitchell already sat out a year ineligible at Missouri. (Can you imagine all that talent at Mizzou plus one more stud?) Anyway, Mitchell's freshman season went well.

http://nbadraft.net/players/tony-mitchell

Aran Smith of nbadraft.net compares Mitchell to Kenyon Martin. In addition to blocking shots and rebounding, Mitchell can hit the college three. I wonder if Thaddeus Young isn't a bad comparison?

Mitchell is a SF/PF with outstanding defensive potential, outstanding shot blocking, and superior rebounding. Mitchell grades to have much more talent than Singleton or Vesely, and he is more versatile than Booker. Tony Mitchell could be a talent upgrade around Wall.

The obvious red flag is why did he end up playing for North Texas? Is he a smart kid or a hard worker on and off the court?

[Ruzious]

Mitchell is one where it'll be real interesting to see how he measures in at the combine. He's listed at 6'8 235 at age 19. If he grows just an inch or so, it could make an enormous difference. Kind of surprised he averaged only 9 FG attempts a game. Considering how high his shooting %'s were, it seems like he was under-utilized. But he did turn the ball over way too much.

[doclinkin]

Sorta a forgotten man but I still like Jeffery Taylor of Vandy as a solid 3 & D SF with inside finishing ability. A good match for what we hope to build. Tough D, range enough to open the interior.

A rare upperclassman with good athleticism, most ath-elites go years earlier. He's rated as a late 1st but never know if a player like this will fall, or get picked earlier. He's a Spurs type player, solid fundamentals, low-ego, proven record of improvement and success, two-way player, has a role waiting for him at the next level.

I'd happily trade up from the 2nd round and maybe take an expiring contract to add him with a late 1st.

[Ruzious]

I like Taylor some, but I wouldn't trade up for him. Him being 2 months aways from 23 and being a very ordinary player before this season is a red flag. Also, he's got t-rex arms.

I just looked at the NBAdraft.net mock - they have Taylor going 23rd - while they have Quincy Miller going 31st and Marquis Teague going 32nd (to Washington, no less). Miller and Teague have the potential to be stars in the NBA - I find it hard to believe they come out unless they're guaranteed 1st rounders. I think Teague has more potential than his brother - who's doing pretty well for himself.

[thinker07]

The new ESPN Draft Lotto Machine is up and Chad Ford has MKG as the preferred 2nd choice for the Wiz after Davis in multiple scenarios.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The new ESPN Draft Lotto Machine is up and Chad Ford has MKG as the preferred 2nd choice for the Wiz after Davis in multiple scenarios.

I think that is a pretty good call. Robinson is a game-changer at PF with his rebounding, but MKG is going to be a star at the next level, too.

I can live with MKG selected #2 overall because the Wizards can use one of their second round picks and select players like Kevin Jones, Mike Scott, Royce White, Drew Gordon, Draymond Green, etc. to be Chuck Hayes/Charles Oakley type players. They won't have the prime Amare Stoudemire-like athleticism that Thomas Robinson has, but a couple of them rebound as well and most hit the perimeter jumper.

I can live with MKG at #2 because he is a SF of the future all the way. He's an inspirational leader who's got a ton more game than what he's showing at Kentucky.

[Ruzious]

The new ESPN Draft Lotto Machine is up and Chad Ford has MKG as the preferred 2nd choice for the Wiz after Davis in multiple scenarios.

That's ironic, because Chad Ford poopoo'd the idea of the Wiz choosing MKG - pointing out their lack o outside shooting. And unless MKG hits a bunch of jumpers in the NCAA tournament, I'm inclined to agree with him.

[nate33]

I love MKG, but he's such a terrible fit here.

I really hope we get the #1 pick. That would change everything.

[Rafael122]

It sounds like Cody Zeller and MKG are going back to school anyway.

Perry Jones stats against Kansas State: 31 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks on 11-14 shooting.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I love MKG, but he's such a terrible fit here.

I really hope we get the #1 pick. That would change everything.

If you think he cannot shoot, yes, MKG would be a bad fit.

http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-bas ... mcume.html

Right now, MKG is not a good perimeter shooter. UK has some wonderful stats that show they've got 6 guys who play nearly the same minutes and all are strong players who put up balanced stats. All six will be NBA players. Their perimeter scorers are Doron Lamb and Quincy Miller. MKG gets to the line the most and he's almost as good on the offensive boards as Anthony Davis. Davis is the man, but MKG is a young lion IMO.

The reasons I like MKG at #2 are more emotional and intuitive than logical.

As much as the Wizards need shooting, what they really need are players who have a competitive fire and who are winners. MKG is very young--he won't turn 19 until the NBA training camps begin. (DOB 9/28/1993) He's a year-and-a-half younger than Harrison Barnes. MKG is four years younger than Chris Singleton.

I believe Thomas Robinson is certainly a better player right now than MKG. I think Thomas Robinson is a can't-miss, fit-like-a-glove, prototypical rebounder/scorer at PF. However, MKG is 2 1/2 years younger than Robinson and IMO has the rare, Kobe-esque competitor gene. MKG is Iguodala but with years and years to improve his jumper.

I have a feeling MKG is going to be an all star for many, many seasons in the NBA. I don't think Thomas Robinson is all that unique.

I'll be happy if Robinson is drafted, but I think over about 3 years, MKG will transcend into a great player.

[Rafael122]

The shooting stuff can be handled later on. As many have said here, the Wizards need TALENT, whether it's elite talent or above average talent, this team has nothing outside of Wall (and to a certain extent Booker). So be it MKG, Robinson or Davis, any of those 3 would be better than what we have now.

[Nivek]

Finally got around to looking at Ed Weiland's update (from 2/17) on the 2012 draft. He has Davis at #1, of course. Then Tony Mitchell from North Texas. He has Barnes ranked 14th, MKG 6th, Perry Jones 17th.

http://hoopsanalyst.com/blog/?p=802

[The Consiglieri]

I love MKG, but he's such a terrible fit here.

I really hope we get the #1 pick. That would change everything.

If you think he cannot shoot, yes, MKG would be a bad fit.

http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-bas ... mcume.html

Right now, MKG is not a good perimeter shooter. UK has some wonderful stats that show they've got 6 guys who all player around the same minutes and all are strong players. All six will be NBA players. Their perimeter scorers are Doron Lamb and Quincy Miller. MKG gets to the line the most and he's almost as good on the offensive boards as Anthony Davis.

The reasons I like MKG at #2 are more emotional and intuitive than logical.

As much as the Wizards need shooting, what they really need are players who have a competitive fire and who are winners. MKG is very young--he won't turn 19 until the NBA training camps begin. (DOB 9/28/1993) He's a year-and-a-half younger than Harrison Barnes. MKG is four years younger than Chris Singleton.

I believe Thomas Robinson is certainly a better player right now than MKG. I think Thomas Robinson is a can't-miss, fit-like-a-glove, prototypical rebounder/scorer at PF. However, MKG is 2 1/2 years younger than Robinson and IMO has the rare, Kobe-esque competitor gene. MKG is Iguodala but with years and years to improve his jumper.

I have a feeling MKG is going to be an all star for many, many seasons in the NBA. I don't think Thomas Robinson is all that unique.

I'll be happy if Robinson is drafted, but I think over about 3 years, MKG will transcend into a great player.

This is EXACTLY why I want MKG. While he doesn't fit technical needs, he's a max fit for everything this teams lacks that contributes to winning. Attitude, desire, BBIQ, fire within, work habits, dedication. EVERYTHING. You can build a winner with Wall, MKG, and one other stud, EASY, you get a Barnes or a Robinson, and to be honest, I think you fill a need but you just blend in to the 3-6 area if you do everything else pretty right, you become a Hawks type team, nice parts, but not a great team. MKG is the type of ingredient that makes a good team great, or a bad team good. That's EXACTLY what we need. Getting a shooter id 100x easier than getting a player that is like MKG, and as you say, MKG is young as hell, there's plenty of time for him to improve his weaknesses, which are improvable, whereas his plusses tend to be assets that a player either has or does not have, and can't be taught. You can't teach motor, heart, desire and BBIQ. You either got that, or you don't. MKG has it.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Finally got around to looking at Ed Weiland's update (from 2/17) on the 2012 draft. He has Davis at #1, of course. Then Tony Mitchell from North Texas. He has Barnes ranked 14th, MKG 6th, Perry Jones 17th.

http://hoopsanalyst.com/blog/?p=802

Dang it, I was going to say Mitchell has produced even better than MKG.

Mitchell has good perimeter skills, he's a very good shot blocker, and is perhaps as good a rebounder as MKG. Tony Mitchell has drawn Kenyon Martin comparisons. However, the dude also shoots from deep like a Caron Butler did in NCAA ball! He won't miss at the next level. Reading the stats/profile on him, he reads like a Len Bias with more shot blocking.

Mitchell doesn't rate as high as MKG, however, on intangibles IMO. He is older (DOB 4/7/1992 to 9/28/1993). Mitchell was an academic non-qualifier at Missouri. When I see a kid who cannot make the grade I assume there is a barrier to learning and/or character issue(s) underlying his failure. I'm going to say the politically incorrect thing: Is he smart? If he is not, there will be a lower ceiling on his adaptability at the next level. Will he be a good teammate? Will he grow as a player? Can he grasp intricacies of the game and how coachable is he? That is what I wonder.

I believe Ed Weiland knows as much as anybody out there. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-deliv ... -.html?l=1

I trust Mitchell is the real deal and wouldn't be unhappy with him anywhere after Davis. I would pick him ahead of Jared Sullinger, Jeremy Lamb, or Harrison Barnes for sure.

My gut, however, is with MKG because of intangibles. If I were to update my rankings on the fly, I think after Davis; Tony Mitchell is the best fit physically to come in right away and start at SF or to play stretch 4. He's better than Barnes for sure. I still say I like MKG's intangibles better, however.

Robinson is a 3rd-year player and a finished product. He's ready right now to play every night in the NBA. I see him being probably more impact-producing than Derrick Williams.

This draft is way, way, way better than last year's IMO.

[tontoz]

Finally got around to looking at Ed Weiland's update (from 2/17) on the 2012 draft. He has Davis at #1, of course. Then Tony Mitchell from North Texas. He has Barnes ranked 14th, MKG 6th, Perry Jones 17th.

http://hoopsanalyst.com/blog/?p=802

He has Robinson at 15 and Lamb at 49. Wow

[Ruzious]

Someone compared MKG to Iggy. This is Iggy's 8th season, and it's the 1st one where I don't feel his outside shooting significantly hurts his team.

That's a long time to wait, and I question whether or not it's been worth the wait.

That could easily be the situation with MKG. It's a calculated risk... based on gut feelings.

CCJ, didn't we talk about Mitchell just yesterday? Again, I have 2 concerns:

1. Turnovers are awfully high for a big guy who shot only 9 times a game.

2. Height. He needs to measure higher than 6'8 and have good length if he's going to be a stud in the NBA.

[Ruzious]

Finally got around to looking at Ed Weiland's update (from 2/17) on the 2012 draft. He has Davis at #1, of course. Then Tony Mitchell from North Texas. He has Barnes ranked 14th, MKG 6th, Perry Jones 17th.

http://hoopsanalyst.com/blog/?p=802

He has Robinson at 15 and Lamb at 49. Wow

He might be right about Lamb. He doesn't play with enough energy for my tastes. I was most shocked that he had Cody Zeller 51st. He's got really good stats, is real young, just about 7 feet tall... what's not to like? Reading his reasonings, I get the impression he puts too much emphasis on shot-blocking stats.

Robinson is a smarter and more skilled player than Jordan Hill.

[dobrojim]

This is EXACTLY why I want MKG. While he doesn't fit technical needs, he's a max fit for everything this teams lacks that contributes to winning. Attitude, desire, BBIQ, fire within, work habits, dedication. EVERYTHING. You can build a winner with Wall, MKG, and one other stud, EASY, you get a Barnes or a Robinson, and to be honest, I think you fill a need but you just blend in to the 3-6 area if you do everything else pretty right, you become a Hawks type team, nice parts, but not a great team. MKG is the type of ingredient that makes a good team great, or a bad team good. That's EXACTLY what we need. Getting a shooter id 100x easier than getting a player that is like MKG, and as you say, MKG is young as hell, there's plenty of time for him to improve his weaknesses, which are improvable, whereas his plusses tend to be assets that a player either has or does not have, and can't be taught. You can't teach motor, heart, desire and BBIQ. You either got that, or you don't. MKG has it.

I really like MKG and would be REALLY happy if we were able to draft him.
However, I think your bolded statement above ignores something pretty
important which is putting the ball in the basket. Getting great shooters may
be somewhat easy. Getting shooters who are also great players is a whole lot
harder. Quality (esp long range) shooters is unquestionably a serious deficiency on
this team.

My own admittedly naive draft preference -
AD - duh
MKG
TRob
Barnes
Sully
These last 2 with some reservations or certainly more hope than certainty
that they'll end up being really helpful.
then I have no idea...Beal? Zeller? Lamb?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Finally got around to looking at Ed Weiland's update (from 2/17) on the 2012 draft. He has Davis at #1, of course. Then Tony Mitchell from North Texas. He has Barnes ranked 14th, MKG 6th, Perry Jones 17th.

http://hoopsanalyst.com/blog/?p=802

9. Jae Crowder SF, Marquette: Crowder has been very impressive so far. He has flashed a variety of skills with no weaknesses. He has put up numbers that put him with some of the best SFs ever. I’m still a tad wary though. He’s a senior and hasn’t been on the radar until this year. Because of that he seems like a candidate to fade badly down the stretch. This ranking is based on great stats so far this season, but more research is needed.

Weiland wrote that before Crowder surged at the end of the season.

Crowder is as much a sure thing at SF as Thomas Robinson is at PF, IMO. He has the intelligence to where regardless if he's selected at the end of round one, I believe Crowder may be just as competitive for a couple years in the NBA as MKG, who will be a top-4 pick. I like that Crowder is the Big East POTY and he was the National JuCo POTY a couple years ago.

Here is a current write up on Crowder.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1092 ... ous-player

What makes Crowder stand out above his Marquette teammates as the most dangerous player is his defense. He averages 2.4 steals and one block per game. He has just as much determination on the defensive side of the ball as he does on offense which is hard to find in players.

When Crowder doesn't have the ball in his hands he is still the most dangerous player on the court. He works very well off the ball and always finds the right spot to be in. Crowder is excellent at screens and helps his teammates get open looks. He is also good at rolling to the basket to get himself open for an easy basket or get in position for an offensive rebound.

Crowder does not have the greatest talent in the world. However, he does have intelligence. He always knows where he has to be and is very efficient with the ball. During transition opportunities, Crowder always sprints up the court and gets in the paint for an easy basket. In college basketball, having the will to win separates players from each or put them on equal terms with more talented players.

Crowder is rare talent in college basketball. He is a great scorer who also does the dirty work for the team. He does whatever he has to do to win and never gives up